As the number of products suspected of having been processed with Chang Guann Co’s (強冠企業) allegedly tainted lard oil reached 187 yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that vendors who still have suspect products made from the tainted lard oil on their shelves risk being fined between NT$60,000 and NT$50 million (US$1,990 and US$1.66 million), starting today.
FDA Deputy Director-General Chiang Yi-mei (姜郁美) made the announcement at a news conference in Taipei.
She said vendors who still have Chuan Tung (全統) brand fragrant lard, the 24 lard products allegedly refined with feed-oil imported from Hong Kong by Chang Guann, as well as food products suspected to have been manufactured with the problematic food oils, could be fined.
The agency has ordered that all 25 lard products made by Chang Guann be removed from shelves nationwide, Chiang said, but it is still trying to determine which countries or regions might have imported the 12 feed-oil lard products known to be tainted in addition to the six importers in Hong Kong and one in Macau that have already been identified.
All countries to which Chuan Tung fragrant lard — the first product found to be have been tainted with contaminated oil during the first wave of the food scandal that erupted on Sept. 4 — had been exported have been informed and told that the products should be pulled from distribution channels.
The FDA has ordered local health agencies to start monitoring food companies and manufacturers who have been affected by the tainted lard oil by having them provide information on the types of food oils used in the manufacturing of their relisted products, including serial numbers and whether they have been repackaged, Chiang said.
Meanwhile, agency officials said that a total of 371.3 tonnes of suspect products have been sealed, while 12.3 tonnes have been discarded.
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